The new kids on the block got their opportunities to knock of the ATP elites this week at Shanghai Rolex Masters 1000.
Rising force Jerry Shang has been winning a lot of matches lately – 29 on the year to reach a career high 51 in the world rankings – but the teenager was no match for Carlos Alcaraz today, falling 26 26.
Alex Michelsen, the American 19 year old ranked 43 in the world, gave Novak Djokovic all he could handle, before the 24 time Grand Slam king escapred with a 76 76 win. It was the first time Michelsen played Djokovic and its possible his fine effort today was book aided – I gave Alex a copy of Facing Novak Djokovic after he did a Biofile with me at Newport Hall of Fame Open 2023 when he reached the final (lost to Mannarino).
But one young gun did knock off a top ten stalwart. Nineteen year old Czech Jakub Mensik outhit and outwitted no. 6 Andrey Rublev 67 64 63.
Tommy Paul dominated veteran Fabio Fognini 63 61.
Qualifier Alexander Vukic knocked off 8 seed Casper Ruud 64 64.
Struggling Stefanos Tsitsipas, seeded ten, managed to fend off Kei Nishikori 76 64. The two former Grand Slam finalists have alternated wins and are now 2-2 career head to head. Kei beat Stef in Canada earlier this year 64 64.
Cory · October 6, 2024 at 11:49 am
What’s up with the Ruud Boy lately? Something very off mentally…
Scoop Malinowski · October 6, 2024 at 1:05 pm
Good question. No answers at this time. Some strange behavior lately. Medvedev complaining about balls and shoving one up his behind. Cahill going silent lately and not accompanying Sinner in China. Swiatek vanishing and it being revealed her and her coach Witkorowski stayed in separate hotels.
Steve · October 8, 2024 at 10:54 am
Tsitsi vs Medvedev, Fritz vs. Rune, Sinner vs Shelton
Will the players with the higher UTR win? heehee It often works this way but it’s good to note that players like Zverev and Rublev can be destroyed mentally and throw off the algorithm. Arnaldi(the Italian Jenson Brooksby with a forehand) got Rublev at the French, he just melted his mind.
Scoop Malinowski · October 8, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Med just doesn’t lose to Tsitsipas, especially not a low confidence version. Rune is on his way to journeyman status, but an upset of Fritz will put him back on the map. The Clostebol kid in three.
Steve · October 8, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Rune is lost at sea for sure.
What ever happened to Jared Donaldson? Another entry on the list of players that vansihed.
Scoop Malinowski · October 8, 2024 at 7:50 pm
they say his knee was wrecked but I saw him at us open qualies watching mochizuki vs damm jr. no limp. could be secret ban.
Steve · October 9, 2024 at 10:53 am
Zverev got Goffinated!
Scoop Malinowski · October 9, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Such a weird player, weird results, you just never know if he really is in it to be the best, which he has the tools to be, or he’s just happy to be in the top 6 range.